Farm Life, Fairgrounds, and Family

On the very same fair grounds that I walked as a child year after year, and

in the very same arenas where my mom at ten years old, showed her steer,

we tread.

Gloomy skies and rain drenched ground made for a dismal backdrop to our day at the fair.

However, nothing could dampen our spirits as we shared, laughed, remembered,

and explained a bit more about their heritage with our children.

For though our children live and grow in a suburban area,

I was born and raised in the wide open spaces of farm dotted countryside.

Spending a good portion of my formative years on the very same farm

where my mom grew from baby to girl,

I never knew what it was like to live in walking distance to a store.

'It's down the road' meant it was at least a twenty minute drive, one way.

Our close neighbors were Amish. 

So, when my children had the opportunity to spend some time at a fair,

with their grandparents and uncle, aunt, and cousin,

we happily went, rainy weather or not.
And, it was a blessing for all of us!
~ Dorie

...continuing my gratitude listing...

691.  attending the fair I attended as a child with my children

692.  petting cows, pigs, sheep, goats, and bunnies

693.  admiring quilts, homemade dresses, and afghans

694.  seeing drawings, paintings, photographs, and hand work

695.  sizing up farm fresh vegetables and fruit

696.  gazing at homemade cakes, jellies, and pickles

697.  sitting on tractors

698.  free samples, pencils, and balloons

699.  a huge pumpkin the size of our youngest

700.  spending time with extended family

701.  fair foods like funnel cakes

702.  watching tractor pulls and animals being shown

703.  a second balloon when our youngest lost his first

704.  a gravel pit to play in

705.  seeing my first grade teacher

706.  another week of school finished

707.  starting Friday co-op again

708.  teaching art, history, and writing in one class (three of my favorite subjects rolled into one)

709.  our oldest going on an archaeological dig field trip

710.  laughing at some of my mistakes (not the serious ones, the ones that are just plain mishaps)

...and so it continues...